Overview

Develop an independent and creative approach to building design and learn about the cultural, social, technical and sustainable issues that are associated with the built environment.

As a student in the new Bachelor of Building Design, you’ll use innovative processes and practices of an architectural design studio to solve problems creatively, and determine solutions for a better future. Modern computer labs, design studios, site visits and interaction with industry practitioners will take you into 'real life' situations with industry briefs.

In this three-year Bachelor of Building Design degree, you will study and develop skills in:

building design (architectural)

building legislation and auditing

building codes

environmentally sustainable construction techniques and materials

building services

professional practice and communication.

These skills will prepare you as a confident and capable building industry professional. You will also take classes alongside students from building design, construction management, building surveying and engineering programs. By studying in multidisciplinary teams in a studio-based learning environment you will work with allied professions in the building industry right from the beginning of your studies.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Careers in building design

As key professionals in the building design and construction industry, graduates will work closely with other professional disciplines, industry groups and development authorities.

Graduates will have a wide range of employment opportunities and can work in both the private and public sectors for employers such as architects, building proprietors contractors, developers, engineers, government bodies, consultancy practices and corporations with large building portfolios or be self-employed entrepreneurs.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Building Design, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

We've changed the way we teach our courses, so that you experience a first year like no other - focused on you and your success.

From 2018, the first-year of this bachelor degree* will see units delivered one at a time, in four-week blocks. This means you won't have to juggle the deadlines and demands of studying multiple units at once. Instead you'll complete one unit before moving on to the next.

All units will be conducted in small class sizes with three face-to-face sessions per week. This means you will get more one-on-one time with your teachers.

You will have access to different learning and teaching methods including:

online

educator-led delivery

tutorials

group work

laboratory and practical work (where it applies).

You will have access to additional activities designed to extend and improve your skills. These activities foster the skills you need to be an adaptable, resilient, confident and competent learner and employee.

Plan, implement and manage the delivery of efficient and effective building design strategies over the course of building design and construction processes in diverse contemporary contexts using independent thinking and judgement.

2.

Generate creative solutions to a range of complex building design problems, taking into account issues of compliance with relevant codes and standards, building construction process, technical and innovative changes, ethics and environmental sustainability (commercial and environmental) with initiative and professional judgement.

3.

Critically evaluate sources and validity of information and use established processes for information management, integrating BIM and the latest architectural software, and including international perspectives and codes of practice as appropriate.

4.

Advocate building design objectives and outcomes effectively to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using a variety of professional forms (oral, written, working drawings).

5.

Exemplify collaboration and requisite interpersonal and supervisory skills and characteristics to influence personal work, community and networks.

6.

Apply personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within broad parameters in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures.

7.

Negotiate, respect and value cultural diversity and indigenous rights and develop capacities and creative solutions to contribute to a sustainable world.

8.

Exhibit responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice in collaboration with others and within broad parameters.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re a Commonwealth supported student or full-fee paying.

Importance of ATAR for this course

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites.
Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of two units of Higher Education studies in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)

N/A

N/A

(C) Recent secondary education

Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)

N/A

N/A

(C) Recent secondary education

Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)

23

N/P

(D) Work and Life experience

9

N/P

International students

0

0%

All students

N/P

N/P

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU.
Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels,
so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through
to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s),
you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may
receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to
complete your course.

If you have completed any of the following course(s),
you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may
receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to
complete your course.

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).

Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now

Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.

Information marked with an asterisk "*" is required.

Given name(s) *

Family name *

Email address *

Phone number *

Postcode

What best describes you? *

I am interested in studying: *

What are you interested in studying at TAFE? *

What school do you attend? *

I would like to start studying: *

How can we help? *

robot trap

Keep in touch

Subscribe to hear about the latest news and events from Victoria University

Contact us

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.

Victoria University acknowledges, recognises and respects the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Boonwurrung, Waddawurrung and Wurundjeri of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of University land in Victoria, and the Gadigal and Guring-gai of the Eora Nation who are the traditional owners of University land in Sydney.